The Stidham Story

Transcription

1 The Stidham Story MARCH 2015 Stidham United Methodist Church Dave s Diary Lent Update As you receive this newsletter, we will have already celebrated 10 of the 40 days of Lent. As Betty Greene reminded us in the March "Stidham Story", Sundays are not included in the count from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Did you pick up your nail last Sunday? Here at Stidham UMC those who wish to participate will once again carry a nail to remind us of the Lenten season and the sacrifice that our Lord made for us. We can carry that nail with us each day as a reminder that Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins. We can hold our nail as we ask forgiveness each day in prayer. On Easter Sunday, we will take our nails and pound them into the base of the cross on the altar. In doing that we will turn our transgressions over to Jesus. Please join us in contributing whatever amount of cash you can in our Lenten folders or boxes. We have folders for coin or bill denominations, the coin box is intended for children, but each adult can decide what works best. Each day as we place our coin or bill in the folder or box we will be reminded of the small sacrifice we are making during Lent. Our Lord made the ultimate sacrifice for us...he gave His life that we may live. This Lenten offering will seed the mission fund at SUMC for 2015 projects. In past years we have had a generous, anonymous donation for missions. It's time we step up and contribute as well to our mission fund. What better way than a Lenten sacrifice? With prayer that the 2015 Lenten season will be a great renewal of faith for all of us at Stidham UMC. Blessings, Dave Don t forget to April Newsletter Articles are due by Spring forward 1 hour Thursday March 26. On Saturday Night March 7. Thank you!!

2 Communion Sunday March 1 THINGS GOING ON IN THE CHURCH IN MARCH Stidham Eagle Scout Troop #325 Recognition Ceremony -Sunday March 1 at 2;00pm Bible Study Monday Nights - March 2,,9,16,23,30 at 6:30pm The Book of John Bible Study Tuesday Mornings March 3,10,17,24,31 10:00am The Book of John Kid s Night Out Wednesday Night March 4, at 5:30-6:50pm Choir Practice Wednesday Nights - March 4,11,18,25 at 7:00pm Trustee Meeting Tuesday Night - March 10 at 7:00pm Lighthouse Prayer Group Thursday Mornings - March 5,12,19,26 at 10:00am Song Fest Sunday Afternoon March 15 at 4:00pm Work Day Clean-up at Church Saturday March 28 9:00am-1:00pm Palm Sunday - March 29 MISSION PROJECTS FOOD PANTRY ITEMS NEEDED FOR OUR GROCERY CART EACH MONTH January Donations of money-make checks payable to Stidham UMC and mark your pew envelopes Food Pantry February-Canned Meat or Tuna March-Spaghetti sauce or Noodles (No Glass Jars) April Paper Products May-Cash Donations June-Canned Fruit July-Macaroni & Cheese August Paper Products September-Cash Donations October Peanut Butter November Soup & Crackers December Oatmeal or Cereal WHEN CLEANING OUT YOUR PANTRY IF YOU FIND SOMETHING THAT IS ON THE LIST YOU WON T BE NEEDING YOU CAN BRING IT AND PUT IT IN THE FOOD CART. Lighthouse House Prayer Group The labels collected are sent to Henderson Settlement. Please see the display in Fellowship Hall showing how each label is to be turned in. There is a basket for you to put your labels in. There are white sheets by the basket showing you what companies are participating. See display on table in Fellowship Hall. ********************************************************************************************************************** Pop cans and Tabs are still being collected for the Riley Hospital mission. Please bring them to church and Kevin Fry will keep us updated on how much money he has collected. If you have questions please see him. 2

3 40 Days There are forty countable days, excluding Sundays, between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Are these forty days adequate time to set myself right with my Lord? I don t think forty days is near long enough! I will pursue God s pleasure 365 days each year. What does Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2015, mean to me? It begins the count-down til Good Friday, two days before that glorious day God has given me. The day God raised His one and only Son from the grave. Why? To take away my sinful ways, to forgive me my past transgressions and all of the blunders I ll make in the future. It breaks my heart to go through the period of time each year. The time called Lent. Lent uses the three years that Jesus taught the world and me how I should live each day. He taught the disciples about their Heavenly Father. He coached them to become leaders, teachers and gave direction for saving the world from sin and certain death by giving us life. Resurrection to an everlasting life. On Easter we sing, He Lives and Up From the Grave He Arose, with joy and gusto. But I cannot forget that He died for my sins. The cross is a horrific way to die. The suffering is dreadful. It grieves me to know that I created the pain and anguish for Him to need to give His life for me. Max Lucado wrote a lesson plan titled, He Chose the Nails! When I study it, I relive those three years of teaching and leading me to be a better person. It helps me understand why God came down to earth and walked among us humans as one of us. He came to save me with that thought in mind. I, with difficulty, endure the day we call Good Friday; it hurts so much. My greatest hope is it teaches me how to live a better life and I know that Easter morning is coming. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for allowing me to be in on the day of resurrection. I ve been asked at different times to explain, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I have no place, I know about, to direct my inquiry. Within my heart I feel they are one. God the Father, protector and caring Father. God the Son, sent to earth, is the one recorded by disciples for history and reference for me to live by through the Holy Bible. The disciples walked with Him for three years, learning God s lessons. God the Holy Spirit, sent to us when Jesus went back to heaven. The Spirit lives in my heart every day. He is that still, small voice, or the grand command, that thunders in my soul and is my constant companion. He is Gods way of taking care of me. I must listen. He will get me from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, through those weeks of Lent. I have a cross to bear and I must carry it to get to Easter Sunday. Lent is a very personal time in each year of my life. Thank you for letting me share some of my thoughts with you today. How will you get from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday? Maybe in worship, bible study, choir, prayer group, being a part of the neighborhood, or in personal prayer and Scripture reading. Love and prayers, Betty Greene 3

4 THINGS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN HERE AT STIDHAM ********************************************************************************* As some of you may not know or have forgotten, Stidham has an ongoing Helping Hands Mission, managed by Noble Kizer to assist people in our community, with support from the Lighthouse Prayer Group and others. We invite you to honor Christ on Communion Sundays, which are the FIRST Sunday of each month, by assisting those in need with contributions. Please mark your pew envelopes with Helping Hands SCHOLARSHIP S We are accepting applications for Scholarship s for this year, to our church congregation. If you are interested, pleas see Paula or Judy in the church office to pick up your applications forms. Thank you ********************************************************************************* SONG FEST We are still looking for people who would like to share their talents on Sunday March 15, at 4:00pm. Don t be shy! Come join the fellowship with music from our choir, plus we have other churches joining us. A light dinner will be served after the program. Please see Jeanine Newman or Arletta Brown as soon as possible! &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& KIDS NIGHT OUT PROGRAM We only have 2 more months and we will be finished until September. We can always use people to help with the Bible Stories, Crafts, Games, Serving the Meal and Clean-up. It is fun and the fellowship with the children is real rewarding! See Arletta Brown our Education chairman. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% BIBLE STUDY PROGRAM Every Monday night at 6:30pm and Tuesday morning at 10:00am, Pastor Dave has a Bible Study. He is a Great Teacher of the Bible! Through March we are studying The Book of John, so come join us for Fellowship!! 4

5 Stidham UMC Attendance and Weekly Giving Report Attendance February 2015 Weekly Giving February 2015 SS Totals Worship Totals 02/01/ /08/ /15/ /22/ Totals February 2015 Budget Income Specials Income Total Income 02/01/2015 $ 2, $ $ 2, /08/2015 $ 3, $ $ 3, /15/2015 $ 3, $ $ 3, /22/2015 $ 2, $ $ 2, Totals $ 11, $ $ 12, Year to Date Income & Expenses Jan Feb 2015 Income Jan Feb 2015 Specials Jan Feb 2015 YTD Deposit Jan Jan 2015 YTD Expenses $ 22, $ 2, $ 24, $ 12, Feb YTD Expenses are not available until after March 1st LET US BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT THE LORD PROVIDES US WITH EACH AND EVERY DAY. LET US GIVE GENEROUSLY EACH AND EVERY WEEK! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A POEM ABOUT THE PENNY I found a penny today Just laying on the ground. But it s not just a penny This little coin I ve found. Found pennies come from heaven, That s what my Grandpa told me. He said, Angels toss them down. Oh, how I loved that story. He said when an Angel misses you, They toss a penny down. Sometimes just to cheer you up, To make a smile out of a frown. So, don t pass by that penny, When you re feeling blue. It may be a penny from Heaven, That an Angel tossed to you. Thank you to an Anonymous Member of our Church Family 5

6 Cathy s Corner As many of you know David and I and a contractor and volunteers have been working on a house we bought last June. I (mistakenly) thought these were small changes we were making since I was unaware of prep work with, for example, a simple floor change. My emotions have been on a roller coaster ride since we demolished the 1st floor last fall so I looked up some quotes about faith recently. Here are several that seem to apply to me. Faith makes things possible, not easy. I know that; just need reminding. That's when this anonymous quote comes in handy. Faith can move mountains but don't be surprised when God hands you a shovel. We had our shovels ready literally but were still unprepared for the obstacles that fell into our path-rotten exterior walls in several rooms up to the windows:(- We've certainly had our discouraging days; OK, mostly me since I'm the resident worrier in this household. But my faith has kept me going even through these seemingly, unimportant obstacles. It's not like our health or our extended families' health is in jeopardy or a catastrophic weather event has taken place, etc. Our faith comes into play every day when we face large or small unexpected changes. Having faith that God will give us strength to get us through whatever is a big deal. Knowing that God believes in me and has faith in me reminds me that I am strong and can persevere through the uncomfortable, or expensive, or painful, or etc. circumstance. Knowing God has faith in me lifts me up spiritually and keeps me moving forward. The 3rd anonymous quote that speaks to me is Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. We see this happening as our renovation nears completion; my fears are beginning to starve:) Without having experienced a terminal illness or any other catastrophic life change I believe I could apply these faith quotes in those circumstances as well. That said, the more life changing the event, the more difficult to have faith, the more we need God at our side. What I'm attempting to write is that I COULD NOT get through my daily life without faith in God as part of my support system and the knowledge that God has faith in me to help myself and others. Faithfully, Cathy EASTER FLOWERS A SIGN UP SHEET IS ON THE TABLE IN FELLOWSHIP HALL. The cost is $9.00 for each flower. Place your name how many of each flower you want and who you want in memory of. Place your check or cash in a pew envelope with your name, date, check# or write cash and put at the top of the envelope Easter Flowers and put in the offering plate. Thank you 6

7 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCH 2015 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY March 2 Bruce Rose March5 Carol Rose March 5 Steve Plantenga March 10 Mary Ezra March 10-Steve & Jill Plantenga March 31 Bruce & Cheryl Parker March 15-Judy Henderson March 16 Cindy Stuart March 16-Jim Walters March 17-Cathy Inskeep March 19-Mary Butler March 22-Jeannie Poulson March 26-Russ Hockema March 27 Keagan Plantenga March 30 Marcy Helms PRAYER LIST Everyone needs a prayer everyday. Let us give thanks and ask God to be with those who are on our prayer list and all those who are going through personal struggles, health issues and other worries that they may have. Let us share our faith and love for one another as life works in different ways. Amen Opal Kuhl & Family, Dick Watts, Bill Lutgen, George Carlton, Barbara LeFevers, Audrey Duley Jackie Conaway, Reba Page, Seth Greene and Family, John Michael Worth, Laura McGlone Allen, Barbara Lawson, Russ and Midge Hockema, Betty Weaver, Jill Plantenga and Family, Larry & Judy Henderson, Our Military, Our World Leaders and all that are mentioned in our Worship Service on Sunday mornings and for those who are mentioned silently. 7

8 MISSIONS COMMITTEE REPORT 2014 We have had another incredible year here at Stidham United Methodist. The tremendous generosity of everyone at Stidham is reflected in the report below. Thanks to everyone for both financial support and also by giving of our time and talents. We hope we have not left out any project, donation, or mission activity. We know we have many members who complete mission work throughout the year without any of us knowing about their unselfish contributions. To all of you we say THANK YOU! Stidham contributed funding to: * Wesley Foundation - $5500 * Peace with Justice - $120 * Food Pantry - $900 * United Methodist Student Day - $120 * Human Relations Day - $120 * Wings of the Morning - $500 * LUM Emergency Fund - $500 * World Communion Sunday - $120 * LUM Jubilee Christmas - $250 * Student Scholarships 8 scholarships totaling $5000 * Bishop s Christmas Offering - $560 * UMCOR Disaster Relief - $180 * Native American Day - $120 * Church Family Aid - $ * One Great Hour of Sharing - $120 Throughout the year, we contributed the following to the Food Pantry through our grocery cart: 550 pounds of food and paper products Food Pantry Workers 9 people on 6 days Stidham contributed time, talents, and financial support to: Kids Night Out Wednesday Salvation Army Bell Ringing - $ collected Kairos Cookies LUM Homeless Shelter dinner servers quarterly at a total cost of $ Food Pantry Workers Roadside trash pick-up 5 times this year with 10 volunteers Toiletries to Cary Home and Homeless Shelter School supplies to Cary Home 13 backpacks, 21 3-ring binders, 2 boxes of miscellaneous supplies Stidham contributed time and resources during the week of Skip Church Sunday for the following projects: Trinity Meal - 17 volunteers served 120 people (2 meals) using donations and $ The Trinity UMC dinner is available to anyone needing a good meal. Kairos cookies 20 people, ages 7 to 89, baked dozen cookies. The value of the cookie ingredients donated by the cookie bakers was $ The cookies were sent to the Westfield Prison Retreat Weekend Mission. Eleven people baked at home while 18 people baked at the church for a total of 145 people-hours during the week. Hygiene Kits 15 volunteers, 220 kits. These kits are distributed by the Midwest Methodist Mission in Springfield, Illinois. They are used whenever there is a disaster where peoples homes have been damaged or destroyed. Blankets 30 blankets were made by 20 volunteers. These blankets are given to those in need in our community. Prayer Vigil 20people, 12 hours Mountain Mission Stidham collected, boxed, and sent over 50 boxes of toys, clothes, dishes, books, rugs, chairs, and miscellaneous items to the Mission. Henderson Mission: Stidham contributed $2550 to build a shed plus donated $2500 to Henderson. Contributions of $1870 were used to house and feed the volunteers from Stidham who worked at the Mission. $1000 was also given to the Henderson Children s Christmas Fund. WHAT A GIVING CONGREGATION. EVERYONE WAS GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME AND DONATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT STIDHAM WHO HELPED TO MAKE THIS POS- SIBLE! 8

9 PINE CREEK CAMP COME JOIN the FELLOWSHIP AND FUN AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS THIS SUMMER AT CAMP!!!! The ages are Kindergarten and up. Several dates are available depending on the age of the child. Grades K-2 have a shorter camp and price depends on the age group. Date for camp is July If you are interested please see Tera Driscol here at church, her at: teradriscol@frontier.com call her at or you can the camp website at: beacamper.com for more information. REGISTER TODAY!! 9